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Jan. 26 1926. 1,570,680

A. A. KENT IGNITI ON APPARATUS Filed July 2, 1921 2 Sheets-Sheet l I N VEN TOR.

MMM BY @7610? il A TTORN E Y.

Jam 26 1926e 1,570,680

A. A. KEN-n IGNITION APPARATUS Filed July 2, 1921 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 IN V ENTOR.

A TTORNE Y.

Patented Jan. 26, 1926.

PATNT oFFlcE.

ARTHUR ATWTER KENT, 0F ARDMOBE, PENNSYLVANIA.

GNXTION AEPARAT'US.

'Appneanon mee. .my e,

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that l, ARTHUR ATWATER KENT, a citizen of the United States, residing in Ardmore, county of Montgomery, and State of Pennsylvania, have invented certain new and useful lmprovements in lgnition Apparatus, of.which the following is a specification.

My invention relates. to ignition apparatus for internal combustion engines such as employed upon motorvehicles and in other relations;- and more particularly, it relates to the interrupter or ignition timing apparatus of an ignition system.

In accordance with my invention, l provide a casing upon a side `wall ot which is secured a transversely extending unit supporting one of the interrupter contacts and the condenser shunted across the interrupter contacts of which the movable contact is also preferably supported upon the side wall ot said casing.

Further in accordance with my invention, the casing may, if desired, be a die casting having as an insert a hub or neck of dir"- ferent metal, as iron, forming a bearing for the timer shaft, and' serving for other purposes. A My invention resides in features ot structure and combination hereinafter described.

For an illustration of one of various terms my invention may take, reference is to be had to the accompanying drawings, 1n

which:

Fig. l is a vertical sectional view, parts in elevation, of interrupter. and distributor structure embodying my invention.

Fig. la is a perspective view ot the hub insert member.

Fig. 2 is a plan view o1Q the structure shown in Fig. 1 with the distributor cap removed.

Fig. 3 is a horizontal sectional view taken on the line 3-3 of Fig. l.

Fig. is a fragmentary sectional view, partly in elevation, on the line .ll-dl et Fig. 2.

Fig. 5 is a fragmentary sectional view on the line 5-5 ot'Fig. 2.

Fig. e is a horizontal sectional view on the line 6--6 ot Fig. l.

1921. serial No. 482,074.

Fig. 7 is a perspective view of the condenser holder unit.

Fig. 8 is a perspective view of the condenser cover.

Fig. 9 is a perspective view ot the holder for the stationary interrupter contact.

Figs. l() to 13 inclusive are views of the governor mechanism.

`Referring to the drawings, 1 is a cylin-v drical metal casing, preferably a die casting et suitable alloy, in which is molde-d or cast a' metallic insert 2, preferably of cast iron, having at its upper end the groove 3 adjacent which it is coarsely lrnurled or otherwise roughened, as indicated at ll,.whereby the metal oic thecasing 1 makes snug and irm union with the insert-2. Hub 2 may, however, be integral with casing l, which may be a die casting or of any other suitable material.

rll`he casing and associated parts are supported by the insert 2, which has a bearing in the supporting member 3 carrying a screw 5 engaging in the groove 6 in the hub or-neck 2. Clamped or otherwise secured to the hub 2 is a lever arm 7, to which may be attached any suitable means for rotating the casing l and attached'parts for manually .advancing or retarding the ignition.

Extending through and having a bearing within the hub 2, preferably directly upon the metal thereof without recourse to a bearing bushing, is a shaft 8 provided at its lower end with a lug 9 or any other suitable means for eecting a driving connection with the engine whose ignition the apparatus is to control, the shalt being driven in unvarying relation by and with respect to the crank shaft of the engine. Adjacent its upper end and within the easing l there is secured upon the shatt 8 the governor plate l0 having the notches ll in which engage the rounded ends-l2 on the arms i8 of the governor weights 14e pivoted at l5 upon the second governor plate 16 secured to the cani sleeve i7 which has a loose bearing upon the upper end ot the shatt 8 at its portion 'i8 el reduced diameter. Springs l5) connect the tree ends of the weights 18 with the plate lll. lug 20 on the plate lO entends through notch or aperture 2l in the plate the engine. Integral with the cam sleeve 17 is the upper end portion 24 slotted at 25 to receive a,rib within an aperture in the distributor block 26, of insulating material, in which is received the sleeve end 24.

Surmounting and closing the casing 1 is the distributor cap 27, preferably of molded insulating material, having molded therein the metallic inserts 28, equal in number to the number of cylindersv in the engine, and adapted to receive flexible connectors leading to the spark plugs of the respective cylinders. These inserts are bared at their lower ends inside of the cap 27, and past their bared ends rotates the distributor ter-v minal 29 carried by the distributor Dblock 26 and electrically connected to the contact spring 30, which bears upon the high tension terminal 31 associated with the metallic insert 32 molded in the central boss on the cap 27, the insert 32 adapted to receive the end of'a flexible cable or the like connecting to the high tension terminal of the induction coil whose primary circuit is controlled by the interrupter contacts hereinafter referred to.

The distributor cap has formed at its lower edge a circumferential groove 33 and abuts at 34 against the casing 1, which terminates at its upper end in a cylindrical tongue 35 engaging in the groove or channel 33.

As indicated in Figs. 2 and 5, the cap 2 is provided with a hole 0r recess 36 in alignment with the flange or end 35 of the casing l upon which is secured a. pin 37 engaging in the aperture 36, whereby the cap 27 is prevented from rotation with respect to the casing 1.

A pair of spring hook members 38 is pivoted at 39 on opposite sides of the casing 1, the hook ends 40 of the members 38 engaging in recesses 41 in the cap 27, holding it snugly against the casing 1. Extending through the bottom wall of the casing 1 is an oil channel or hole 42 communicating at its inner end with the bore of the insert member 2 and at its` outer end with the oil cup threaded into the casing 1, as indicated in A metallic member or unit 44, preferably a die casting, has at its end 45 a surface concentric with the casing 1, and between the end 45 and the inner wall of `the casing 1 is disposed a strip of insulating material 46 through which and the external block 48, of

insulating material, extend the screws 47, 47

threaded into the member 44 and insulated from the casing l by the bushings 49. Simitenesse larly, the screw 50 extends'through the block 48 and is threaded inte the unit 44, is insulatedyfrom the casing 1, and serves as a binding post for connecting to the unit 44 Aone terminal of the primary circuit of the induction coil. The unit 44 extends across the interior of the casing l', spaced above the bottom thereof, with its remote end 51 unsupported or free of the casing 1. As indicated, the overnorl mechanism is preferably disposed between the unit 44 and the bqttomof the casing 1. i

The unit 44 has formed therein the recess or pocket '52 ,for receiving or holding the condenser C comprising alternate layers of foil or conducting material separated by dielectric or insulating material. ln the example `illustrated, the condenser is of the socalled rolled type comprising ribbons of tin foil or the like separated by ribbons of paper and covered by ribbons of paper and then rolled. At 'the back or bottom of the pocket 42 is disposed a sheet 53 of insulatin material partially surrounding the condenser unit C and overlying the metallic plate 54 which, with the external metallic plate or ribbon 56, is held to the unit 44 by the metallic rivets or eyelets 57 passing through both metallic members 56 and 54 and insulated from the unit 44 by surrounding bushings 58. The ribbon or plate 56 is insulated from the member 54 by the sheet of insulating material 59, 4and the plate 54 is insulated from the interior o'f the unit 44 by the sheet of insulating material 60. Extending into the condenser unit C, transversely of the foil ribbons and contacting, with the different foil ribbons, are the nietallic strips 61 and 62, of which the former is soldered or otherwise connected to the plate`54, at which sheet 53 has an aperture, and by the rivets or eyelets 57 with the external metallic plate or ribbon 56. The outer or free end 63 of the connector 62 is soldered or otherwise electrically connected to the inside of the metallic cover or cap 64, which is then forced into the pocket 52, as indicated in Fig. 6, and soldered preferably throughout its entire external joint at 65 to the metallic unit 44.

By the structure described, the condenser housing is formed of two members, one of them the cover 64, and one of the housing members is supported upon the side wall ol' the casing 1. Furthermore. by the structure respectively, i

described, the condenser unit is supported in isc electrical connection through the connector .63 and the cover 64 with the metallic unit 44, while the other terminal is connected. to the external metallic ribbon 56, which latter is clamped between the casing l and the metallic bracket 66 held to the casing 1 by the screws 67. The bracket 66 is, as indicated, secured to the side wall o f the casing l and spaced between the top Aand bottom thereof. The bracket 66 has an inwardly extending end 68, towhich is secured one end of the leaf spring 69, Fig. 2, whose remote end is Secured at 70 to the transversely extending end 7l on the light rigid arm 72, to which is secured the slice or other cam follower 73 adapted to engage and be actuated by the cam 22 to -effect periodic engagement and separation of the movable interrupter contact 74, carried by the metallic arm 72, with and from the stationary interrupter contact 75 attached to thedownwardlyextending lug 76, Fig. 9, on the plate 77 pivoted at 78 to' the unit 44, and particularly to the web portion 79 thereof between the arcuate flange 80 and the longitudinal portion 8l having the condenser pocket 52. The plate 77 is provided with an arcuate slot 82,

whose center is the pivot 78, and through which extends the clamping screw 83 threaded into the web 79 of the unit 44. Attached to the plate 77 is the head or knob 84 by which the plate 77, and therefore the contact 75, may be rotated about the' pivot 78 when the screw 83 is loosened, suitably to adjust the position of the stationary interrupter contact' 75. When adjustment is effected, the screw 83 is tightened and holds the contact 75 fixedly in the adjusted position. The contact 75 and the pivot 78 are disposed relatively to each other, preferably as indicated, and the ivot 78 is positioned,

preferably as indicate practically in alignmentl with the arm 72 carrying the movable contact 74, whereby adjustment of the plate 77 and therefore contact 75 about the pivot 78 moves the contact 75 substantially in the direction vof movement of the movablecontact 74. The arm 72 is, in effect, pivoted adinet-.nt its left end, and the plate 7 7 carrying the stationary contact 75, is pivoted at 78 on that side of the contacts 74, 7 5 opposite the point at which the arm 72 is pivoted, and the pivotal points and the contacts are preferably approximately `or roughly in longitudinal alignment with each other.

Furthermore, the contacts 74, 7 5 and the pivot 78 are on that side of the cam 22 opposite to that at which the arm 72 is pivoted. These relations of the parts have been found in practice to yield highly satisfactory operation in quickly effecting a suiciently great separation of the contact 7 4 from contact 7 5, and in permitting suitable adjustment of the stationary contact 75. The

plate er member 77 is disposed within the casing l well above its bottom and below its upper edge, but nevertheless accessible from the upper end of the casing for adjustment, upon removal of the cap 27.

The contact 75 is in electrical communication with the unit 44, and therefore with one terminal of the condenser C and with the binding screw 50.y AThe movable interrupter contact 74 is in electrical communication with the metallic casing l, which in turn is grounded, as through the support 3, upon the frame of the motor vehicle or the engine, the arrangement` indicated being suitable for an ignition system in which the primary circuit of the induction coil is grounded, as well understood in the art.

The interrupter contact 74 is also in electrical communication through the metallic ribbon 56 with the remaining terminal of the condenser C. Accordingly, the condenser C is connected in shunt across the interrupter contacts 74 and 75 serving, as usual, to reduce the sparking thereat and to effect higher potential in the secondary of the induction coil.

With the casing l grounded as stated, the binding post 50 is connected to one terminal ofV the primary coil of the induction coil whose other terminal may connect to one ternnnal of a battery or suitable source of current, and the other terminal of such source is connected to ground.

Accordingly, when the shaft 8 is rotated, the contacts 74 and 75 periodically engage and separate, thereby periodically making and breaking the primary circuit of the induction coil to effect high potential impulses in the secondaryk of the induction coil, and those impulses are distributed, by

the above mentioned distributor structure,A

to the spark plugs of the different cylinders of the engine 1n proper sequence.

Due to centrifugal force, the governor the shoe 73 be made of fabric, preferably canvas, as in several layers, impregnated or saturated with bakelite, condensite or other condensation product or equivalent, and compressed into a sheet whose thickness correspondswith the thickness of the shoe 73, whose edge engages the cam.

l A shoe of this material Ais impervious to moisture, somewhat resilient, and very tough, with the result that it serves even better than indurated, vulcanized or other fibre as a cam-engaging shoe because of its aforementioned properties. ,In service, a shoe of this material, because of its unusual toughness, Wears very slightly, if at all, with the result that` adjustment of the interrupter contacts'because of cam follower wear, is substantially entirely eliminated.

lVhat I claim is:

1. Ignition controlling apparatus comprising a casing, a metallic condenser and contact-carrying unit'secured tothe inner side Wall of said casing and pro'ecting across said casing and spaced from t e bottom thereof, an interrupter contact carried lby saidiunit, and a condenser carried by said unit.

2. Ignition controlling apparatus coinprising a casing, a metallic member secured to the inner side Wall of said casing and projecting across said casing and spaced from the bottom thereof, an interrupter contact carried by said member, a co-acting movable interrupter contact supported upon the side Wall of said casing, and a rotary cam Within said casing controlling co-operation of said contacts.

3. Ignition controlling apparatus comprising a metallic casing, a metallic unit secured to theinner side Wall ot said casing, `insulated therefrom and rejecting across said casing and spaced rom the bottom thereof, an interrupter contact carried by and electrically connected to said unit, a cooperating movable contact supported upon the side Wall of said casing and elec*s trically connected thereto, a condenser carried by said unit and having one of its terminals in electrical connection therewith, and a connection from the other terminal of said condenser to said movable contact.

4. Ignition controllin apparatus comprising a casing, a meta lic unit secured at its one end to the side wall of said casing extending across said casing above the botl tom thereof and terminating short of said casing, interruptor contacts insulated from each other and carried, respectively, by said unit and said casing, and a condenser can ried by said metallic unit.s

5. Ignition controlling apparatus comu prising a casing, a metallic unit having an arcuate end at which it isv secured to the side Wall of said casing above the bottom thereof, said unit extending transversely 'of said casing and terminating short thereof5 means insulating Vsaid unit from said casing. an' interrupter contact carried by and electrically connected with said unit,`a co operating movable interrupter contact supported upon the side Wall of said casing, said unit having a pocket, a condenser in said pocket, a connection from said casing through the ivall oit said pocket adjacent the free end of said unit to one terminal of said condenser, a metallic cap covering said condenser and Contactin with said unit, and a connection from t e other terminal of'said condenser to said cap. Y

l6. Ignition controlling a paratus comprising za metallic casing, ii) metallic unit insulated therefrom and secured to the side wall of said casing above the bottom thereof andy projecting transversely of said casing and terminating` short thereof, an interruptr contact carried by and in electrical communication with said unit, a metallic bracket electrically connected with said casing and secured to the side wall -thereoi`,a movable interrupter contact supported by said bracket, a condenser carried by said unit and`having one terminal connected to said unit, and a connection from the other terminal of said condenser extending from the free end of said unit to said bracket. 7. Ignition controlling apparatus comprising a casing, a die cast unit having a condenser pocket and secured to the side Wall of said casing above the bottom thereof and extending transversely of said casing and terminating short thereof, a condenser in said pocket, metallic plates insulated from Said die casting disposed on the interior and the exterior thereof, means electrically connecting said plates and securing them in position, a connection from one terminal of said condenser to the inner of said plates, an interrupter contact Within said casing, and a connection from said exterior plate to said interrupter contact.

8.v Ignition controlling apparatus comprising a casing, a diecast unit having a condenser pocket and secured to the side Wall of said casing above the bottom thereoi? and extending transversely of said casing and terminating short thereof, a condenser in said pocket, a metallic cap closing said pocket, a connection -roin one terminal of said condenser to said cap, said cap making electrical connection With said unit, an interruptor contact carried by said unit and electrically connected therewith, a cooperatinginterriipter contact Within. said casing, and a connection from 'the other terminal of said condenser with said last named contact.

il., Ignition controlling apparatus coinprising a casing,-a cam driving shaft extending into said casing, a centrifugal gov ernor having a member secured to said shaft, a cam aiigiilarly adjustable with respect to said shaft, a1-second :governor member secured to said cam,` a metallic unit secured 'to the side Wall of said casing extending transversely thereof, said governor disposed between said unit and the bottom ot' said casing7 a condenser carried by said unit, an interrupter contact carried by said nnit, and a. cli-acting movable interruptor Contact supported upon the side wall of said casing and actuated by said'cam. L

10. Ignition controlling apparatus comprlsing a metallic casing, a cam driving shaft extending into said casing, a centrifugal governor havingv a member secured to saidv shaft,-a^ca1 angularly adjustable with respect to said shaft, a second governor member secured to said cam, a metallic unit secured to the side wall of said casing extending transversely thereof, said governor disposed between said unit and the botl tom-of said casing, a condenser carried by said unlt, an rinterrupter contact carried by said unit, and a co-acting movable interrupter contact supported upon the side Wall of said casing and actuatedl by said cam, said unit insulated rfrom said casing, one terminal of said condenser connected through said unit to the interrupter c contact carried thereby, saidv second -interrupter -contact electrically connected with said casing and with the other terminal of said condenser.

11. Ignition controlling apparatus comprising a metallic casing, a rotary cam there- 1n, amovable interruptor contact controlled by said cam supported upon the side Wall of said casing and electrically connected thereto, a metallic unit insulated from said casing secured to the side wall thereof and extending transversely thereof, a condenser carried by said unit and having one terminal connected to said interrupter contact, a second interruptor contact carried by said unit and vconnected therethrough with the other terminal of said condenser, an insulating member on the exterior of said casing, means extending therethrough and through said casing to 'secure said unit to said casing, and

a circuitl terminal communicating with saidunit carried by said insulating member.

12. Ignition controllin apparatus comprising a casing, a metal ic unit secured at one fend to the side wall of said casin and extendin transversely thereof Wit its other en free, a rotary cam Within said casing, said unit extending lpast said cam adjacent thereto, a movable interruptor contact carried by said casing and controlled by said cam, a. co-operating interrupter contact carried by said unit, and a condenser carried by said unit and having its terminals connected, respectively, to said interrupter contacts.

13. Ignition controlling apparatus comprising a metallic hub, a casing casting ot different metal intimately united therewith, interrupter contacts within said casing, and a shaft extending through said hub bearing directly on the metal thereor` and controlling co-action of said contacts.

n 14.Ignition controlling a rising a die cast casing, an

erent metal forming a paratus coma hub of ditbearing for a cam shaft, said hub constituting an insert with Whlch said casing is intimately united,

Ignition controlling apparatus cbmprising a die cast casing, a hub therefor of iron constituting an insert with which said caslngis intimately united, and a cam' shaft having a bearing in said hub.

Ignition controlling apparatus comprlslng a die cast casing of alloy, a cast iron hub therefor constituting an `insert with which said casing is intimatelyunited, and a cam shaft having a bearing in said hub directly on the metal thereof.v

17. Ignition controlling apparatus comprising a `die cast casing, .a hub therefor oi di'erent instal, said casing and hub intimately united and one of them having a recess and the other a projection extending into said recess, and a cam shaft having a bearing in said hub.

i8. Ignition controlling apparatus comprising a die cast casing, a hub of diderent metal therefor having a grooved and roughened end with which saidcasing is intimately united, and a cam shaft having a bearing in' said hub.

iQLflgnition controllingapparatus comprlsing a die cast casing, a hub of dierent metal therefor having a roughened end with which said casing is intimately united, and a cam shaft having a bearing in said hub.

Ignition controlling apparatus comprlsing a casing, a condenser-carrying unit de tachably secured to the inner side Wall o sald casing and projecting across said casing and spaced from. the bottom thereof, and a 4governor disposed in the space between said imember supporting said stationary contact, and means' for pivoting said member for.

adjustment of said fixed contact in an arc about a point disposed to one side of the `line of relative movement of said contacts,

the radii oi said arcs having dierent lengths..

23. Ignition controlling apparatus comprising a pivoted arm, a movable interrupter contact carried thereby, a stationary coacting interrupter contact, a member supporting said stationary contact, and a pivot for said member disposed on the side of said contacts opposite tothe pivotal center ci said arm.

24. Ignition controlling apparatus comprising a cam-actuated arm, an interrupter reo iso

contact carried by said arm and movable in an arc, a co-acting stationary contact, at least one of said contacts having a substan' tially plane face, a member carrying said stationary contact, and a pivot for said member about which it is adjustable in an arc, said pivot disposed approximately in alignment with said face of Said one of said contacts, and the radii of said arcs having different lengths. Y

25.- Ignition controlling apparatus comprising va casing, a movable interrupter contact carried thereby, a member secured to the side wall of said casing and extending transversely thereof, a second member pivoted to said first named member, a stationary interrupter contact carried by said second named member, and means for clamping said second named member in fixed position.

26. As an element of ignition controlling apparatus, a metallic unit having an arcuate end and an integral transversely extending portion having a pocket` adapted to receive a condenser.

27. As an element of ignition controlling apparatus, a metallic unit having an integral transversely extending portion having a pocket, a condenser in said pocket having one terminal connected to said unit, and a connector attached to the exterior of said unit, insulated therefrom and connected to the other terminal of said condenser within said pocket.

28. Ignition controlling apparatus comprising a casing, a hub thereon, a condenser unit secured on the side wall of said casing and spaced from the bottom thereof, coacting interrupter contacts within said casing, a shaft having a bearing in said hub, a cam controlling said interrupt'er contacts, and a governor located between said condenser unit and the bottom of said casing and forming a connection between said shaft and said cam. 29. As an element of ignition controlling apparatus, a cam engaging shoe consisting of fabric ypermeated. and stiifened with a condensation product.

30. As an element of ignition controlling apparatus, a cam engaging shoe consisting of superposedv layers of fabric permeated and stiened with a condensation product.

3l. As an element of ignition controlling apparatus, a cam-following shoe consisting of a sheet -of balrelized canvas whose edge engages the cam.

32. Ignition timing apparatus comprising a casing, interrupter contacts, a condenser shunting said interrupter contacts, a member attached to the side wall of said casing and extending transversely thereof and having a pocket extending transversely of said casing and adapted to receive said condenser, and a cup-shaped cover for said pocket having end walls adjacent the walls of said cas- 1,57o,eeo

ing and joined to the bottom of said cu shaped cover by portions falling withiny tie intersections of the planes of said end walls and said bottom.

33. Ignition controlling apparatuscomprising a casing open at its upper end, a support within said casing, a plate carried by said support above the bottom of said casing and below the upper edge thereof, said plate adjustable on said support,` a movable interrupter contact, said plate having a downwardly extendmg lug, and a co-acting stationary contact on said ylug.

34. Ignition controlling apparatus comprising a casing open at its upper end, a support within said casinar a plate carried by said support above thbe, bottom of said vcasing and below the upper edge thereof,

said plate adjustable on said support, a movable interrupter contact, said plate having a downwardly extending lug, a co-acting stationary contact on said lug, and an upwardly extending member on said plate for adjusting the same. l

35. Ignition controlling apparatus comp ising a casing open at its upper end, a cap on the upper end oflsaid casing, a support within said casing, a plate carried by said support above the bottom of said casing and adjustable on said support in a plane beneath the joint between said casing and said cap, a movable interrupter contact, a downwardly extending lug on said plate, and a co-acting contact carried by said lug, said plate being accessible from the upper end of said casing for adjustment of said second named contact upon removal of said ca 56. As an element of ignition controlling apparatus, a member consisting of a die castinghaving a pocket for holding a condenser, and a secondl member integral with said member .and adapted to support timer contact structure.

.87. A. condenser unit comprising a die casting having a pocket, a condenser in said pocket, and a cup-shaped cover whose peripheral edges extend into said pocket.

38. In ignition controlling apparatus, the combination with a casing, of a condenser housing comprising two members attached to each other for enclosing a condenser, and a member secured to the side wall of said easing and supporting one of said housing members.

39. In ignition controlling apparatus, the combination with a casing, of a condenser housing comprising two members extending transversely of said casing and spaced from the bottom and side wall thereof, and a member secured to the side wall of said casing and supporting one of said housing members.

40. Ignition controlling apparatus comprising a longitudinally extending arm, a

contact carried thereby, a co-acting stationary contact, a support for said stationary Contact, and means for pivoting said arm and said support on opposite sides of saidcontacts, said pivoting means and said contacts being disposed approximately in longitudinal alignment With each other.

41., As an element of ignition controlling apparatus, a metallic unit having an arcuate end adapted for attachment to a curved casing surface, and an integral transversely extending portion having a pocket for receiving a condenser.

In testimony whereof TL have hereunto aiixed my4 signature this 23rd day of June, 1921.

ARTHUR ATWATER KENT. 

